Americium-241 emits power for more than 400 years.
The world's first space battery fueled by Americium-241, a nuclear-based fuel, will be developed in cooperation between the National Nuclear Laboratory and the U.K. Space Agency.
Americium-241 is a type of americium isotope. It is radioactive, like all americium isotopes, with a half-life of 432.2 years. The batteries last for decades without needing to be repaired for the many years that a spaceship may be in transit. "This exciting work from the National Nuclear Laboratory is supported by over £19 million in government funding, creating a nuclear-based fuel that will put Sellafield and the North West firmly on the global space technology map."The "game-changing" space batteries could propel the space industry as well create economic opportunities in the country, according to the U.K. government.
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